The signings of Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger should also mean United have enough depth in midfield. Credit to van Gaal though, as he saw he did not have the personnel in the back to play with 3 center backs, and instead loaded up more midfielders and attackers in the latter stages of the season. “I feel this season for the first time, rather than the last two seasons, we re ready to challenge again“.
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Rooney is at his best in front of goal, but as he was deployed deeper and deeper last season, his average number of shots fell to just 1.6 per game – a considerable drop from his rate of 3.9 in 2009/10.
The message is clear: nobody is above the collective. That said, Spurs would have a very tough time getting Lucimi a work permit so either they’d have to bank on pulling that off or be content sending him on loan elsewhere in Europe.
As such, United’s only use for individuals has become as servants to the greater whole.
Manchester City have been given a massive fitness scare on the eve of the new season, with THREE of their biggest stars all now doubtful for the big kick off. Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Samir Nasri were all forced to miss the club’s traditional season-opening fans’ event in Manchester, after the talented trio were sent home from training with a stomach bugthat has swept through the squad. United are, apparently, also planning for his exit, and Van Gaal has hinted that talks have taken place with Carrick to let him know that he won’t be central to the team anymore, at least in every game.
The transfer sees the most expensive signing in Premier League history depart Old Trafford just 12 months after his arrival. He scored a career-high of 27 Premier League goals that year as Berbatov was reduced to a supporting role along with Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck.
“Van Gaal did something very good, vital to our progress as a great club, when he put a lot of confidence into our young players of the academy, La Masia, and he was proved right because they have been the best players in our team”.
Yet even Pochettino’s recent comments have suggested that given the money spent by the clubs around them, Tottenham face a real uphill battle to break into the top four. You can read what the 5-3-2 is and why it worked so well in my post here.
Van Gaal’s second season with the Bavarians was disastrous and saw him leave before the Bundesliga even wrapped up when Bayern slipped out of the top three.
With a full ramp-up period under the former Dutch national team manager, United looks much more settled than just a year ago.
With United attempting to climb back to the summit of English and European football through a combination of major signings and Van Gaal’s experience, Bartomeu admits that he expects the Dutchman to succeed at Old Trafford as he did while manager at the Nou Camp. There is stiff competition in the right back position as Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier are both vying for the spot. This will be the first season since 2011/12 where Rooney will spearhead the attack. Curiously, a similar request by Real Madrid was granted. Barcelona ace Pedro has been strongly linked with Old Trafford [Daily Star], and could now make the move across.
Goalkeeper: David de Gea hasn’t looked himself in pre-season and it’s safe to say his form has been affected by speculation over his future.
“He’s one of the most humble guys I’ve come across”. The squad’s depth will be tested frequently, especially if United goes through another period with multiple injuries.
Here’s all you need to know about the transfer news. From whatever angle you consider it, things are bad.
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There’s still four days for Premier League sides to bring in new blood before the season starts though, as a manic summer transfer window shows no signs of slowing down.
